"The Knitting Book" from DK Publishing is an exhaustive reference book that wants to answer every question you can think of about knitting.

Every dedicated knitter should have what I call a knitting bible, a reference book with good photos of techniques with clear, step-by-step instructions. There are several very good ones out there, and some people have more than one.

For several years now, I have had Sharon Brant’s book, “The ultimate knitting bible,” and I have referred to it a few times when I wanted to learn a new cast-on or confirm my understanding of a term, like the 3-needle bind-off. I don’t refer to it a lot, but I have been glad to know it was on the shelf, where I could grab it when I needed it.

The first Stitch N Bitch book and the most recent one, “Superstar Knitting,” both by Debbie Stoller, also thoroughly cover a lot of the techniques you’ll need.

"The Knitting Book" is filled with lush photography, with double-truck pages like this introducing each section.

Now, Frederica Patmore and Vikki Haffenden have written a new, similar book, “The Knitting Book: Yarns, Techniques, Stitches, Patterns” for DK Publishing. The publisher’s press release says, “Our passion for making our own clothes and accessories has been reignited in this tough economic climate, and knitting is the new way to unwind and beat the stresses of modern life. Not yet in the know? No need to worry: DK has the ultimate collection of yarns, techniques, stitches and patterns all in September’s ‘The Knitting Book.’ “

I like the illustrations in this book, which are photographs rather than diagrams. The photographs capture many techniques and flow logically from one to the next. These illustrations cover two-color knitting.

My first reaction, when I got the book, was, “Do we really need another reference book?” But I have to say that this new book has some of the most lush photos I have ever seen in a reference book. Also, the instructions cover just about every technique I could think of, including one or two I never thought of like “Short Row Peaks” on page 195. And unlike “the ultimate knitting bible,” this book has projects to get you started on using those new techniques you just read about.

Just for the heck of it, I compared “The ultimate knitting bible” and “The Knitting Book” on how they describe the same technique. I chose stranded knitting at random and opened each book to its lessons on that subject. “The ultimate knitting bible” has drawn, line illustrations with the yarns marked in colors to show you what to do. “The Knitting Book” has photos, and frankly, I found the photos slightly easier to follow. Also, “The Knitting Book” has more illustrations because it illustrates more ways of accomplishing the same task. For example, it shows not only how to hold one color in each hand as you do stranded (Fair Isle) knitting, but also how to hold two colors on the left hand or two colors on the right.

The section on creating buttonholes was also clear and thorough.

The two books also had differences on how to make a button hole. “The ultimate knitting bible” includes eyehole buttonholes, but “The Knitting Book” doesn’t. “The Knitting Book” has a diagonal buttonhole that “The ultimate knitting book” doesn’t have. But other than that, they basically cover the same stuff, and both of them teach you how to avoid the unweldy loop that appears next to your cast-off buttonhole if you don’t do it right.

“The Knitting Book” is one of those reference books you get when you’re serious about knitting and know you’ll want something to refer to for years to come as you learn new techniques. At $40, it’s a probably hefty but worthwhile investment. (And even if you don’t think $40 is hefty for a book, the book itself is large and heavy, with large 399 pages.) This is the kind of book I recommend you get by putting it on a birthday list or Christmas list and hoping that someone gets it for you.

I should mention that this is the first review of three reviews of reference books that have been released recently from different publishers. Each one is distinct in its approach, and all of them warrant serious consideration for your library. The next book review will be “Finshing School” by Deborah Newton.

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About Pam MacKenzie

Pam MacKenzie grew up in a real estate family. Her parents were real estate brokers and office managers, and she herself was a licensed agent in the 1970s. But early on, Pam discovered she'd much rather write about the industry than sell. Now in her eighth year as the real estate editor at the Courier News, Pam believes she has the best job at the paper. In this blog, she's on a mission to empower readers to give them a strong understanding of anything and everything that can impact their ability to own a home. And she believes passionately that when you understand the real estate industry in New Jersey, you understand so much more: the education system, economic and racial bias, the way politics works or doesn't work and ecology, to name a few. She invites everybody to leave lots of comments, even when they disagree with her.

One Response to Book Review: “The Knitting Book” by Frederica Patmore and Vikki Hafenden

Thank you so much for your review, I hope you enjoy reading it as much as we enjoyed writing it. You may be interested to know that Sharon Brant and I work together at Rowan Yarns, and have done for many years! It’s still odd to think we’re now in the same territory. Kind Regards, Freddie x

About this Blog

Pam explores local knitting groups and yarn shops, critiques patterns and shares her wisdom on techniques for improving your craft.

About the author

Pam MacKenzie
Our real estate editor, Pam MacKenzie, expresses her creative side in this blog about knitting. Pam learned to knit at age 6, when her friend’s mother made Pam’s doll a dress, and Pam wanted to make more. Her mother wanted her to learn how to sew in high school, but she was afraid of the sewing machines, cutting fabric the wrong way, and the potential that sewing would have for bringing down her grade-point average. Every year, she managed to find a course conflict to avoid sewing classes. But the day after high school graduation, she took her graduation money to a fabric store, bought a kit to make a sweater, taught herself to read patterns and never looked back. These days, she knits a prayer shawl every month, along with sweaters, tote bags, gift bags and other goodies. She also designs many of her projects. Read More About PamE-mail Pam